Artistic director Michael Bush shepherds the two-week festival, running July 29-Aug. 8, which features performances by renowned guest artists and instruction from Tony nominee Penny Fuller and Barry Kleinbort, who will guide participating cabaret fellows through the creation of new cabaret pieces.

Also presenting their own evenings of song will be composer Paul Scott Goodman (Rooms, Bright Lights, Big City), Tony nominee Gregg Edelman (City of Angels, Wonderful Town), Mary Cleere Haran, an evening of the songs of late Chorus Line lyricist Edward Kleban, and Michael Aman and Randi Michaels Block will present Secrets of Songwriting, about female songwriters in Nashville.

Tickets for the O'Neill Cabaret and Performance Conference offerings go on sale June 10. For tickets phone (860) 443-1238 or visit www.theoneill.org.

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center was founded in 1964 and is based in Waterford, CT. Programs at the Center include the Puppetry Conference, Playwrights Conference, Critics Institute, Music Theater Conference and the National Theater Institute. The Monte Cristo Cottage, O'Neill's childhood home, is also owned and operated by the group.